Fort Knox has long been known for its heavy metals — gold bricks and armored tanks.
But the tank's 70-year connection to the Army post in the hills of central Kentucky ended Thursday as the Armor Center, the training school for generations of tank soldiers, began its move to Fort Benning in Georgia.
“It's a bittersweet day,' said retired Lt. Col. Richard Ardisson, a former tank commander who attended the transfer of command ceremony. “You always hate to see change, especially change that's as symbolic as this is for old tankers and cavalrymen.'
The ceremony symbolized the shift of authority over Fort Knox from the Armor Center to Accessions Command, making the base the Army's home for recruiting, training and human resources. The changes are part of a military reorganization announced by the Pentagon five years ago.
More than 180 M1 tanks and about 1,000 other vehicles will depart Fort Knox over the next year and a half. |